Martin Odegaard ‘could join Celtic on loan’

MARTIN Odegaard could yet pull on a Celtic shirt after reports that Real Madrid could let the Norwegian starlet go out on loan next season.

Ronny Deila - whom Odegaard credits as hugely influential on his career while at Stromsgodset - could tempt the 16-year-old to Glasgow on a temporary basis if La Liga giants Real Madrid are happy to let Odegaard gain experience abroad.

Reports recently have linked the Norwegian international with a loan spell at Premier League outfit Southampton next season.

But Deila remained cagey when questioned about it, saying: “I haven’t heard [Odegaard’s] situation had changed, but if it’s true he’s going to be loaned out, then we will check and see what is possible.

“It’s more interesting to have players we own or have a buy-in option. They have to be very, very good like Jason Denayer, if we are to take them on loan without that buy-in agreement.”

Odegaard hit the headlines after becoming the youngest player to play in the Tippeligaen, at the age of 15 years and 118 days, and scored his first goal for Stromsgodset a month later against Sarpsborg 08 FF - making history again as the Norwegian top flight’s youngest ever goalscorer.

He made 23 appearances for Godset, scoring five goals, before being snapped up by Real Madrid in January 2015.